Afghan Lamb and Rice Khameer Bob
A hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender lamb meatballs simmered in a fragrant rice and yogurt sauce, often considered a comforting family meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Ground lamb
- 1 medium Onion(finely grated)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped)
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Ground coriander
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 cup Rice(rinsed)
- 4 cups Water or broth
- 2 cups Plain yogurt
- 1 large Egg
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tsp Dried mint
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine ground lamb, grated onion, half of the minced garlic, chopped cilantro, cumin, coriander, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix well and form into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter).
- 2
In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides. Remove meatballs and set aside.
- 3
Add the rinsed rice to the same pot and toast for 1-2 minutes until lightly fragrant. Add water or broth, the remaining garlic, remaining salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- 4
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is partially cooked.
- 5
While the rice simmers, whisk together the yogurt and egg in a separate bowl until smooth. Gradually temper the yogurt mixture by slowly whisking in about 1 cup of the hot rice liquid. This prevents the yogurt from curdling.
- 6
Pour the tempered yogurt mixture into the pot with the rice. Stir gently to combine. Add the browned meatballs back into the pot.
- 7
Bring the mixture back to a gentle simmer (do not boil vigorously). Cover and cook for another 30-40 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the meatballs are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 8
In a small pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add dried mint and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn.
- 9
Serve the Khameer Bob hot, garnished with the mint-infused butter.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the yogurt is tempered properly to avoid a broken sauce.
- ✓Don't overcook the meatballs before adding them to the sauce, as they will continue to cook.
- ✓Adjust seasoning to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of turmeric to the rice for a golden hue.
- Incorporate finely chopped carrots or peas into the rice mixture for added texture and flavor.
- Serve with a side of fresh Afghan bread (nan).